However literal the prophecies may or may not be, the point is clear. Many dozens of apocalyptic books appeared during the period 165 bce to the destruction of the jerusalem temple in 70 ce. The king james has more verses than all the other bibles because it renders three words gahenna, hades, tartaros into hell where modern bibles render them as hell and hades. So we need to think through about how god reveals himself. Sep 17, 2018 the new testament reflects much more specific revelation from god of the afterlife. Allusions in revelation from old testament christian forums. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse. David mathewson assessing old testament allusions in the book.
Is there a specific reference to heaven or hell in the ot. A common question that has been asked is, why are the doctrines of the afterlife missing from the ot, but found in the nt so much. John the divine, although the godgiven title is at the very beginning of the text, the revelation of jesus christ, which god. In the book sapiens by yuval noah harari, the author claims that heaven and hell are concepts not mentioned in the old testament of the christian bible. The word hell occurs 31 times in the old testament. The final judgment of humanity is also taught in revelation, so it is only natural that the book has something to teach us about hell. In this chapter we will examine new testament references to sheol hades other than jesus parable of the rich man and lazarus, which we addressed in the previous chapter. Perhaps this is because with god there is no time in a sense. Nevertheless, it is perhaps noteworthy that many of these passages that speak of. Nov 26, 20 some use this book to try and predict the future.
Is there any specific reference to heaven or hell in the old testament or did this notion emerge solely as a result of the persians zoroastrian influence on the jews. Nov 19, 2012 this is the holy book of revelation, known as the revelation of st. The first suggestions of an apocalypse within the hebrew scriptures old testament is found in the books of isaiah, jeremiah, amos, and micah. The prophet jumps from the restoration of jerusalem to the millennium and the new earth. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. The old testament in the book of revelation paperback january 1, 1976 by ferrell jenkins author 5. One well known example is the war scroll found among the dead sea scrolls and probably. The old testament prophets often seemed to speak as if there is no such thing as time. The book of revelation often called the revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Eight interesting facts about revelations use of the old. One word of caution regarding this topic is that the king james version often translates the word sheol as hell. May 27, 2008 is there any specific reference to heaven or hell in the old testament or did this notion emerge solely as a result of the persians zoroastrian influence on the jews. There is no trace of this belief in the old testament, which also never claims that the souls of people continue to. What does the old testament have to say about eternity and the afterlife.
The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. And theres some truth to that in terms of trying to think through why hell is mentioned far more in the new testament than it is in the old testament in terms of the doctrine of hell. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments. Mathewson, the meaning and function of the old testament in revelation 21.
Founder and director of ariel ministries there are over five hundred references to the old testament in the book of revelation. Allusions in revelation from old testament silencehush. Key facts about eternity 1 everyone will exist eternally either in heaven or hell daniel 12. The new testament reflects much more specific revelation from god of the afterlife. The dead god, as judge evil, victory over angels opposed to god hell, punishment of hell. God reveals himself in small ways over time, and then that revelation is cumulative. Jun 25, 2019 the greek word gehenna, originally derived from the valley of hinnom, came to be used in the new testament as hell or the fires of hell, and expresses the place of final judgment and punishment for sinners. What terms does the bible use to describe hell, or everlasting. The use of old testament in the book of revelation. I wish i had time to fully answer your question, but i would suggest that you go to some resources online concerning the subject of hell. Gaius and the algoloi also reject it because the montanists use revelation so often. Old testament references verse numbers found in revelation approx 540 of them for god so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth. Almost every verse of revelation contains some sort of allusion to it.
The old testament teaches the doctrine of a literal and eternal hell. Old testament references verse numbers found in revelation approx 540 of them for god so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. From the oldest book of the bible job to the last book revelation, darkness is consistently associated with hell. The concept of hell was known by the israelites as sheol. Job had the assurance that although he was going to be eaten by worms, he would receive a new body and in that body would actually see god face to face, obviously conscious. As the final book of the bible, the book of revelation brings to fruition. Aug 28, 20 the numerous ot references which the book of revelation alludes to furnish it not merely with the eschatological themes and events represented and foretold by its symbols but also with the very symbols themselves. The use of old testament in the book of revelation rizalde. From the oldest book of the bible job to the last book revelation. Also, the bible describes hell as lashing or scorpions or darkness where. For if god did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment.
John the divine, although the godgiven title is at the very beginning of the text, the revelation of. Schneider decodes the book of revelation, revealing how the endtime events prophesied in the new testament book correspond with the teachings of the torah and the hebrew prophets. Job writes of a land of deepest night, of utter darkness and disorder, job 10. It is a synonym of shahat which means pit or destruction and it connotes the place where those. The old testament in the book of revelation jenkins, ferrell on. And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where. Yet there are some strong old testament indicators, though not nearly as many. According to westcott and horts list of quotations from the old testament, of the 404 verses of revelation 278 contain references to the old testament. Apologetics press revelation and the old testament. And the book of revelation will complete the revelation of. It is in the book of revelation that we read about the fall of the antichrist, the false prophet, and satan. Is there no heaven, hell, or satan in the old testament. Consider, for example, the first two chapters of isaiah.
The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse into. Marcion rejects revelation because of the numerous old testament references in the book. Old testament allusions and references are abundant in the book of revelation. Mar 19, 2019 the book of revelation starts with this is a revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. Certainly then, by having a good knowledge of the old testament, and especially such books as isaiah, ezekiel, daniel, and zechariah, one likely will have an easier time understanding the book of revelation.
In the old testament, this valley south of jerusalem became a place of child sacrifices to the pagan god molech 2 kings 16. The rapture is the hope of the new testament, just as the revelation of christ was the hope of the old testament. Belief in heaven the realm of the good god and hell the realm of the evil god was also dualist in origin. The book of revelation starts with this is a revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. Frequently the simple answer is progressive revelation and while that is fair to say in sum, much more can be said that expands on that answer. The numerous ot references which the book of revelation alludes to furnish it not merely with the eschatological themes and events represented and foretold by its symbols but also with the very symbols themselves. On the other hand, the king james study bible stated, of the 404 verses in the book revelation, 265 verses contain lines that allude to some 550 old testament references 1979. Jan 04, 2010 there are no formal or direct quotations to the old testament ot in revelation. There are no formal or direct quotations to the old testament ot in revelation. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st.
What are the verses that mention hell in the new testament. There are two distinct concepts sometimes referred to in english as hell. This is the holy book of revelation, known as the revelation of st. There are somewhere between 200 to 1,000 references to the ot in revelation, depending on how you count them. The holy bible book 66 revelation kjv dramatized audio. In the book sapiens by yuval noah harari, the author claims that heaven and hell are concepts not mentioned in the old testament of the christian bible from sapiens. K beale,johns use of the old testament in revelation usntsup 166. In much of the old testament ot period, the concept of hell as a place. And the book of revelation will complete the revelation of christ. Well look at direct and indirect references to hades and also every passage that people cite to argue sheol is a state of conscious existence for human souls. A brief overview it is observed that revelation contains more references to the old testament books than any other document in the new testament. The book of revelation is unique, in that it describes a series of visions that may or may be taken literally. In fact, of the 39 old testament books, one writer has found that revelation alludes to 24 of them. An apocalyptic letter, it relies on visions, symbols, and old testament references to reveal the ultimate fulfillment of gods promise given to abraham in genesis.
The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. Hell in the book of revelation christian worldview press. I go through a chapter of revelation and spot the links to old testament writings. Jun 03, 20 it is in the book of revelation that we read about the fall of the antichrist, the false prophet, and satan. Defilement gays abominations what heaven will be like benefits of. Eternal suffering finally, the suffering in this place will be eternal. It is mentioned by jacob when he is told of his son josephs death. Old testament references in revelation unsealed discussion.
The following is a list of such references, but it makes no claim to being exhaustive or complete. Many verses in revelation apply to life today, whether we are living in the midst of one of the. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Aug 24, 2016 on the other hand, the king james study bible stated, of the 404 verses in the book revelation, 265 verses contain lines that allude to some 550 old testament references 1979.
The doctrine of hell is suggested in the old testament, but it is much more clearly revealed in the new. Is there an expectation of eternal life in the old testament. The greek word gehenna, originally derived from the valley of hinnom, came to be used in the new testament as hell or the fires of hell, and expresses the place of final judgment and punishment for sinners. There are over five hundred references to the old testament in the book of revelation.
That these passages are references to the hell taught elsewhere in the ot and fully revealed in the nt is debatable, since the ordinary use of sheol is death or place of the dead. The book of revelation closes with the bright and morning star, which is a figure of christ at his coming to take the church out of the world. There are two important aspects of hell taught in revelation. Angels 114 instances fallen 259 instances topics on fallen angels.
He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. Revelation parallels, figures and typology in the old. In fact, phrear and abussos are used almost interchangeably throughout the book of revelation to refer to the deep pit of imprisonment for fallen angels revelation 9. Of the 216 chapters, there are 318 references to the second coming. Table of contents acknowledgments foreword homer hailey preface the old testament background of the book of revelation the number and analysis of old testament quotations the text used in the old testament allusions the purpose of the old testament allusions the place of the book of revelation in apocalyptic literature the times in which apocalyptic grew apocalyptic a reinterpretation. Porter concurred, the book of revelation is replete with allusions to the ot. You will discover how the passover foreshadows the great tribulation and what the hebrew prophets reveal about the antimessiah, armageddon, hell, the. Apr 30, 20 i realize that many people do not accept the bible as a revelation from god and on this basis reject any notion of hell, however, anyone who reads the bible should recognize that what is clearly stated about hell in the new testament harmonizes with the witness of the old testament that repeatedly says god will have a time of everlasting. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers.
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